One of my cats was serioulsy in distress trying to get at itchy spots on his back and tail area. I took him to the vet. She commented on the "waxy" brown stuff in his ears and took a smear. After a few minutes, she came back in and said he had demodex mites. and that was probably what was causing his skin itchiness. He wasn't bothering with his ears at all, but he did have some areas on his skin that were kind of scaly looking and could be scraped off. (she didn't test those). Her treatment consisted of a once a week bath with BPO-3 for 6 weeks and three consecutive doses of Revolution. He still has brown waxy stuff in his ears and he still has those little scaly spots on his skin. Whenever he has a bad itching day, I spray his hair with Humilac which seems to calm the itch. His treatment started October 13. Has anyone had a cat with demodex and if so, what treatment did you use? What else can you tell me that would be of information.

Thanks for your Reply!

6 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:feline demodex mitesOne of my cats was serioulsy in distress trying to get at itchy spots on his back and tail area. I took him to the vet. She commented on the "waxy" brown stuff in his ears and took a smear. After a few minutes, she came back in and said he had demodex mites. and that was probably what was causing his skin itchiness. He wasn't bothering with his ears at all, but he did have some areas on his skin that were kind of scaly looking and could be scraped off. (she didn't test those). Her treatment consisted of a once a week bath with BPO-3 for 6 weeks and three consecutive doses of Revolution. He still has brown waxy stuff in his ears and he still has those little scaly spots on his skin. Whenever he has a bad itching day, I spray his hair with Humilac which seems to calm the itch. His treatment started October 13. Has anyone had a cat with demodex and if so, what treatment did you use? What else can you tell me that would be of information.

Thank you. I did take him back for a recheck and she did scrape of some of the scaly skin and did another ear canal exam. She said the ones on his skin were not demodex, but that she saw 5 this time in the ear wax. (She let me see the microscpoe slide the first time and yes, they look like demodex cati). She has consulted the dermatologist at the nearest university's veterinary clinc/hosptial. They were of no help. She is going to contact the research dept to see if maybe they will have more information. In the meantime, she has me cleaning his ears daily, followed with an ear flushing lotion and putting vaseline in the ears to perhaps try to suffocate them. (And 1/5 of a 12.5 mg dose of genereic benadryl 1 to 2 times a dayfor the itching -which I cannot get down him)I am thinking about having him examined by another veterinarian, but there are no certified dermatologist within 4-5 hours of here.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:feline demodex mitesThank you. I did take him back for a recheck and she did scrape of some of the scaly skin and did another ear canal exam. She said the ones on his skin were not demodex, but that she saw 5 this time in the ear wax. (She let me see the microscpoe slide the first time and yes, they look like demodex cati). She has consulted the dermatologist at the nearest university's veterinary clinc/hosptial. They were of no help. She is going to contact the research dept to see if maybe they will have more information. In the meantime, she has me cleaning his ears daily, followed with an ear flushing lotion and putting vaseline in the ears to perhaps try to suffocate them. (And 1/5 of a 12.5 mg dose of genereic benadryl 1 to 2 times a dayfor the itching -which I cannot get down him)I am thinking about having him examined by another veterinarian, but there are no certified dermatologist within 4-5 hours of here.

I am so glad that you took your kitty back for additional care. Dermatology can be one of the most vexing aspects of veterinary medicine. Your veterinarian sound marvelous in that she is willing to consult with colleagues and try to help your baby.

Keep us updated and happy holidays...Dr. Bernadine

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:feline demodex mitesI am so glad that you took your kitty back for additional care. Dermatology can be one of the most vexing aspects of veterinary medicine. Your veterinarian sound marvelous in that she is willing to consult with colleagues and try to help your baby.

Yes, she is very good and I hope we can find something to help. I have been looking online and think I might try a product called Defendex. It might help him a little bit. Thank you for your concern and happy holidays to you as well.Tori

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:feline demodex mitesYes, she is very good and I hope we can find something to help. I have been looking online and think I might try a product called Defendex. It might help him a little bit. Thank you for your concern and happy holidays to you as well.Tori

I had a cat with earmites, and was given drops to put in her ears. It seemed to take forever to get rid of them. It turned out she was getting re-infected from something in the house. I had to leave her at the Vets for a week while we did a whole house clean-up and sanitizing! But that did the trick. It also helped my nasal allergies, which I thought were caused by the cat.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:feline demodex mitesI had a cat with earmites, and was given drops to put in her ears. It seemed to take forever to get rid of them. It turned out she was getting re-infected from something in the house. I had to leave her at the Vets for a week while we did a whole house clean-up and sanitizing! But that did the trick. It also helped my nasal allergies, which I thought were caused by the cat.

I treated my cat's ear mites using olive oil and a cotton swab. I was so careful not to hurt the bones in the ear. It took three or four treatments and there is no more scratching, shaking the head or black waxy mites. Previously I tried zinc oxide cream with an antihistamine, but it was ineffective.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:feline demodex mitesI treated my cat's ear mites using olive oil and a cotton swab. I was so careful not to hurt the bones in the ear. It took three or four treatments and there is no more scratching, shaking the head or black waxy mites. Previously I tried zinc oxide cream with an antihistamine, but it was ineffective.

WebMD Special Sections

The opinions expressed in WebMD Communities are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. Communities are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.

Do not consider Communities as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.